Weather
Waka Kotahi urges caution on Canterbury's flood-affected roads
There will be rough surfaces on many flood-hit roads in Canterbury and motorists will need to take extra care this weekend, Waka Kotahi says. Audio
Canterbury flooding: State of emergency to continue for a week
Mayors of Ashburton, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts say the extended state of emergency will aid in the recovery of Canterbury's worst-hit flood areas. Audio
Canterbury floods: Holidaymakers set to hit damaged roads
The long weekend is almost here, and many will be making travel plans to get the most out of their extra day off.
But with much of Canterbury ravaged by floodwaters, motorists are being warned to… Audio
Ashburton's Hakatere Bridge open to all vehicles after damage
The Hakatere Bridge - also known as the Ashburton Bridge - re-opened to all vehicles today, after being damaged by debris from surging water in this week's floods.
The critical State Highway One link… Video, Audio
Ashburton Bridge to open to heavy vehicles today - NZTA
The Transport Agency is confident it will be able to open Ashburton Bridge to all vehicles today. Audio
Okuku residents fear land no longer safe after river flood
North Canterbury residents who fled as the Okuku River flooded over their properties are worried they might not be able to live there anymore.
They're waiting on Waimakariri District Council… Video, Audio
Canterbury flooding: A tour through a home devastated by water
The flood-damaged Ashburton bridge is likely to be open only to light traffic for the time being whilst officials continue to test its structural integrity.
Heavy rainfall caused the foundations to… Video, Audio
Heavy vehicles test soundness of Ashburton bridge
Testing of the Ashburton River bridge to see if it can safely reopen to heavy vehicles is now underway after a delay this morning.
Springfield faces huge clean-up, but some damage beyond repair
Nearly 400mm of rain came down in the Canterbury town of Springfield and now the water has receded, people have returned for the big clean up, but some damage is beyond repair.
Our reporter Louise… Video, Audio
Methven family escapes flooding with community help
The Williams family were left wondering where they would be spending the night last Sunday after evacuating from their property nearby Ashburton River.
Truck driver takes milk the long way around
The Ashburton River Bridge on State Highway One is still closed for testing to find out how bad the damage is. An inland route is now open to heavy vehicles, such as freight trucks, but earlier this… Audio
Ashburton River bridge stress testing underway
The bridge over the Ashburton River is closed again for stress testing to find out whether it will be safe for heavy vehicles to use. Inland detours are in place. Floodwaters have damaged properties… Audio
Damaged SH1 bridge: 'We've got to be careful what happens there at this stage'
The Ashburton River Bridge has been reopened to light vehicles only after delays to heavy-vehicle testing this morning. Audio
Best of First Up for Wednesday 2 June
In today's pod: in the Middle East, Benjamin Netanyahu looks like being ousted as Israel's Prime Minister; what Canterbury's weekend rain and flooding means for farmers and our wider economy and the… Audio
Ashburton bridge due to close again
Ashburton's damaged bridge is due to close again for further stress testing by engineers. The crucial bridge carrying State Highway 1 through the mid-Canterbury town reopened late last night to light… Audio
Canterbury flooding: Ashburton flooding update
A massive clean-up is underway in Ashburton after flooding hit the district on Sunday and Monday. The Rural Support Trust has been active in the area helping farmers hit by the floods. Reporter Katie… Audio
Canterbury flooding: Ashburton Bridge open for now
Ashburton Bridge reopened to light traffic at 10pm on Tuesday night after flooding caused partial damage.
This followed load testing using a crane and weights, but the bridge will close again between… Audio
Canterbury flooding: Student Volunteer Army out and about
The Student Volunteer Army (SVA) are pulling together their troops to assist in the Canterbury clean-up .
SVA chief executive Sam Johnson has been putting out the call to arms.
He says it's time to… Audio
Canterbury flooding: Rural support trusts pitching in
The big clean-up is underway in Canterbury after flooding in the district on Sunday and Monday.
Canterbury's three Rural Support Trusts are providing extra help to farmers, and for other flood… Audio
Canterbury floods: Farmer wants help from officials
A mid Canterbury farmer says her life has been turned upside down because of the flooding - and she's asking for help from officials.
Philly Rooney lives halfway between Ashburton and Methven with… Audio
